4. every helper--The Philistines, being neighbors to the
Phœnicians of Tyre and Sidon, would naturally make common cause
with them in the case of invasion. These cities would have no
helper left when the Philistines should be destroyed.
Caphtor--the Caphtorim and Philistines both came from Mizraim
(Ge 10:13, 14).
The Philistines are said to have been delivered by God from Caphtor
(Am 9:7).
Perhaps before the time of Moses they dwelt near and were subjugated by
the Caphtorim
(De 2:23)
and subsequently delivered. "The remnant" means here those still left
after the Egyptians had attacked Gaza and Palestine; or rather, those
left of the Caphtorim after the Chaldeans had attacked them previous to
their attack on the Philistines. Some identify Caphtor with Cappadocia;
GESENIUS, with Crete
(Eze 25:16,
Cherethims); KITTO, Cyprus. Between Palestine and
Idumea there was a city Caparorsa; and their close connection with
Palestine on the one hand, and Egypt (Mizraim,
Ge 10:13, 14)
on the other hand, makes this locality the most likely.
JFB.
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